[thorn bird]

Re. the amendments to the airports act.

One could not be blamed for smelling a rat, and the Murky Mandarins finger prints all over it.

Quote:

"The changes in the proposed Bill (a different submission cycle for a number of federal leased airports, inclusion of a new Australian Noise Exposure Forecast, an increase in the current $20 million monetary trigger for Major Development Plans to $35 million and other timeline changes) should not affect the safety assessment processes in which CASA is already engaged. An outline of the matters CASA considers is attached for the Committee's information."

Hmm. I can feel a DFO coming on!

"There is a possibility that the increase in the dollar trigger may permit larger buildings to be constructed under that trigger which may inadvertently have an effect on aviation safety.

Ya reckon!!!...Wonder how much some development shark donated to which party to get that changed. Maybe old Murky was promised a board position to add to his other retirement benefits. Given past performance I'd imagine that scenario a sure thing.

"This risk would be remediated by continued monitoring by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as the relevant agency and advice to all federal leased airport managers that any construction (even if below the current or proposed dollar trigger) should be discussed with CASA for possible safety implications prior to proceeding..."

Ah there's the clue. Since CAsA has abrogated its responsibility for safety, old Murky picks up the reins, bit like giving the fox a key to the chook house and by extension free reign to the development sharks.